Dolphin therapy is a form of therapy with the use of dolphins. In many countries, such as Ukraine or Turkey, where dolphin therapy is carried out, it is found that it gives spectacular results. However, some scientists are skeptical. Check what effects dolphin therapy can bring and whether it is available in Poland.

Dolphin therapy(Dolphin-Assisted Therapy - DAT) is a combination of hydrotherapy, i.e. hydrotherapy, and animal therapy, i.e. a method supporting the treatment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities, consisting in close and natural contact with animals - in this case with a dolphin. Delfionotherapy is based on swimming and playing together, during which people with disabilities perform a series of exercises with dolphins tailored to their individual needs and abilities.1Dolphins have been selected for the treatment of sick people for several reasons - they have a sympathetic appearance (as if they were smiling constantly), are extremely intelligent, and most importantly for the supporters of dolphin therapy - ultrasounds and echolocation signals sent by dolphins are to have healing properties.

Dolphin therapy - indications and contraindications

According to some, dolphin therapy allows you to deal with disorders such as:

  • autism
  • ADHD
  • Down syndrome

Dolphin therapy is used in the therapy of people (mainly children) with disabilities, mentally retarded, with various mental disorders.

  • cerebral palsy
  • depression
  • neurosis
  • hormonal disorders
  • memory impairment
  • eating disorders
  • speech and hearing disorders
  • nerve-sensory deafness

Contraindication to classes with dolphins is epilepsy and related epileptic states. Dolphin therapy (as a psychostimulant) may lead to an increase in epileptic activity. Additionally, dolphin therapy can be dangerous in acute respiratory diseases, as well as in cancer.

Worth knowing

Delfinotherapy in Poland - is it available?

Delfinotherapy is not available in Poland. People who want to use it must go to one of the three centers abroad:

  • Island Dolphin Care,Florida, USA
  • Dolphin Therapy Center of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kozacza Buchta
  • Sealanya Dolphinarium, Turkey

From Poland, the closest to dolphin therapy in Ukraine. The approximate price for 10 sessions of 25 minutes each is about 1000 euros. The price rises if a Polish dolphin therapist takes part in dolphin therapy - then its cost is around EUR 1,300.

Dolphin therapy - what effects is it supposed to give?

Apparently, during dolphin therapy, the patient is exposed to echolocation signals and ultrasound beams emitted by dolphins, which, penetrating human tissues, are to affect the neurobiological and endocrine system.1They are to make minor repairs in damaged cells. While playing with dolphins, human secretion of endorphins is supposed to increase, which reduce the feeling of pain, hunger, and facilitate breathing.1

This is confirmed by numerous studies on the effectiveness of dolphin therapy. The first of them were carried out in the 1970s. Their author was David Nathanson (who is considered to be the creator of this method). Nathanson in 1977 conducted a study involving mentally retarded children with learning disabilities. After 2 weeks of dolphin therapy, Nathanson noticed increased concentration and motivation to learn. A year after the end of dolphin therapy, he checked the long-term effects of therapy with dolphins. It found that the children were still focused on the lessons and were more involved in family life. However, other scientists accused him that the study was overwhelmed with methodological errors and that one cannot be influenced by its results, much less confirm the effectiveness of therapy with dolphins.

However, its version is to be confirmed by numerous other studies. In a recent study, researchers investigated the effect of exposure to dolphins on symptoms of depression (mild to moderate). 30 participants took part in the study and were divided into two groups. The first group swam for one hour a day and played with the dolphins once a day. The second group swam and dived only on a coral reef. After two weeks, it turned out that in the group swimming with the dolphins the symptoms of depression were less severe than in the control group.

Dolphin therapy - does ultrasound sent by dolphins have healing properties?

Studies that are to confirm the effectiveness of dolphin therapy (the effectiveness of the healing properties of ultrasounds sent by dolphins) are accused of a number of methodological inaccuracies, simplifications and statements unjustified from the scientific point of view, which significantly undermines the results of theseresearch.

Interestingly, the study, which negates the effectiveness of ultrasound sent by dolphins, was conducted by the same researcher who, several decades earlier, was convincing in his research about the positive effects of this form of therapy.

The German association "Autism" was skeptical, officially announcing that there was no convincing evidence that dolphin therapy was an effective form of treatment for autism .¹

David Nathanson, who in the 1970s argued that dolphin therapy works, in 2022 conducted another research, this time using real and artificial dolphins. 35 children with various diseases participated in the study. It turned out that there was no difference between the group that was exposed to the real dolphin and the group that received the artificial dolphin therapy.

However, dolphin therapy gives results

Currently, there are no reliable studies that confirm the healing properties of ultrasound or echolocation signals sent by dolphins to humans. However, this does not mean that dolphin therapy has no effect. It gives, but mainly in terms of the presence of an animal as a motivator that stimulates the child to act.

The dolphin only supports the therapy. The effectiveness of dolphin therapy depends primarily on the work that the child will do with the therapist.

Delfionotherapy is a combination of hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. Classes are held in water, which promotes relaxation and relaxation of the human body, which is important for increasing the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation.1The child's stay in the water and direct contact with the dolphin supports its physical development in terms of m .in. motor coordination. Exercises with the dolphin take the form of play, so sick or disabled children unknowingly practice the most effective physical exercises. Dolphin classes can be more motivating for a child than standard exercises with a therapist in a therapy room. In addition, the animal can also play the role of a bridge in establishing contact with a therapist or other people .¹ After dolphin therapy, patients are still mobilized and willing to fight diseases, they are more open and communicative.

Worth knowing

Dolphin therapy - an ethical problem

Unfortunately, dolphins in most cases end up in dolphinariums by round-up. Some of them, taken out of the natural environment, do not even survive transport. If they end up in dolphinariums, it happens that they are stressed, exhausted, and this leads them to aggression. In someattack on humans by dolphins has been reported. There have also been reports of dolphins committing suicide by deliberately not eating or hitting pool walls. It turns out that dolphins have self-awareness, create rich social bonds and are able to feel states such as suffering or stress, not only at the physiological level.1

It is worth knowing, however, that world-class measures not only allow dolphins to live as close to natural conditions as possible, but above all treat them as co-workers, with certain rights, for example to rest. One such center is Island Dolphin Care (IDC) .¹

Source:

1. Buchnat M., Rzepka M., Dolphin therapy in rehabilitating children with developmental disorders - dilemmas and controversies, Repository of the University of Adam Mickiewicz, https://repozytorium.amu.edu.pl/bitstream/10593/9882/1/Delfinoterpia%20w%20usprawnianiu%20dzieci.pdf

2. Hal Herzog Ph.D., Does Dolphin Therapy Work ?, https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animals-and-us/201110/does-dolphin-therapy-work

Category:

Alternative medicine